UPDATE: WCU community gathers at vigil for student

By
Jeremy Gerrard, Daily Local News

Thursday, February 7, 2013

WEST CHESTER — Laughter, tears and an occasional spontaneous utterance of “NASCAR” swept the steps of Sykes Student Union at West Chester University as hundreds of students gathered Thursday evening to celebrate the life of Sean Casey.

“He was a country boy, he warmed my heart and made me smile every day, I loved working with him,” said Jessica Micchelli, a junior at WCU.

Students organized the vigil to honor Casey, who died Thursday morning after contracting bacterial (meningococcal) meningitis. Casey was hospitalized Sunday with meningitis.

West Chester University President Greg Weisenstein announced Thursday that Casey had died as a result of the infection.

Friends took turns Thursday trading stories about Casey, whom they described as a lovable goofball with a passion for country music and Kenny Chesney, but overall a committed friend and genuine person.

“You always say it could not have happened to a nicer person, but this really could not have happened to a nicer person. I don’t know anyone that has ever said, ‘Oh, Sean Casey, I hate that jerk,’ those words have never been spoken,” said a friend from high school.

Casey, a 21-year-old student from Whitehall, Pa., was a junior in the honors program at the college of visual and performing arts. Weisenstein said Casey was active in campus life as a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Musical Fraternity, Honors Student Association and a respected leader who worked in the Sykes Union Building as a student director. University officials confirmed Casey was not a resident of university housing this academic year.

Billy, a fraternity brother of Casey’s who now teaches in Schuylkill County, said he invited Casey to help teach his class for a couple days.

“Even for only three days and a few hours he got to spend with my students, he made a huge impact on them,” he said. “I can never thank him or appreciate him enough for that.”

Other speakers said they could talk to Casey about anything and he would never pass judgment on them.

“The loss of a student touches everyone on the campus, and I know that Sean and his family will be remembered in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead,” Weisenstein said. “It is important to keep in mind that our school of music faculty, honors program staff, student affairs staff, as well as faculty in the Counseling Center will be available to assist any students as they learn of this sad news. We extend our deepest condolences to the Casey family and all of Sean’s friends and classmates during this very difficult time.”

A makeshift memorial was erected near a kiosk in Sykes Thursday where students were invited to jot down thoughts and memories of Casey.

Tyler, a fraternity brother, said Casey was the first person he met during band camp at the university. He said it was Casey who became a friend to him and encouraged him to join the fraternity.

“I don’t know where my life would have been and I will always thank him for that,” he said.

Members of Casey’s fraternity ended the vigil with a song and the parting words “once a Sinfonian, always a Sinfonian, Long Live the Sinfonia!” before breaking into a moment of silence.

“He’s a charmer, he still is,” said Mike, a fraternity brother. “I like to think of it in the present than the past. It’s not that he was, he still is.”

The West Chester University Student Health Center worked with the Chester County Department of Health to determine those who were in contact with Casey and treat them appropriately.

Prior to his hospitalization, Casey visited Penn State University at State College for a conference.

A Penn State spokesperson said the University Health Services is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to identify any individuals who came in contact with Casey in State College. The spokesperson confirmed as of Thursday afternoon all students who came in contact with Casey had been notified.

The Chester County Health Department identifies meningitis as an inflammation of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord that can be of bacterial or viral origin.

The meningococcal infection is not highly contagious, though it is transferable person-to-person through direct saliva contact such as kissing, sharing eating utensils, food, using the same beverage container or being within three to four feet of an infected person when they cough.

The Centers for Disease Control list symptoms of the condition to be sudden onset of fever, headache and stiff neck. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and altered mental status. Symptoms can appear quickly, typically developing three to seven days after exposure.

The CDC said about 4,100 cases of bacterial meningitis, including 500 deaths, occurred each year in the United States between 2003 and 2007.